Pressure regulator



@et 9 i923.

J. W. ALLEN PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Nov. 20. 1922 Patented @et 9, 1923.

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PATENT @ENCE JOSEPH WALLACE ALLEN, OE CLAIR/TON, PENNSYLVANIA.

PRESSURE REGULATOR.

Application filed. November 20, 1922. Serial No. 602,199.

To all ywhom t may concern! Be it known that I, JOSEPH VVALLACF. AL-

LEN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Clairton, in the county of Allef3 gheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressure Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pressure regulaill tors, and more particularly to pressure regulators of the U-tube design and has for one of its objects the provision of a novel regulator of this class that will automatically control the pressure of a fluid body.

5 Another object is to provide a regulator of this class that has means for limiting the movement of the U`tube member so as to limit the flow of fluid from one side of the U-tube to the other.

A further object is to provide a regulator of this class that has its U-tube so mounted as to provide a greater operating leverage than regulators heretofore constructed.

A still further object is to provide a regulator of this class having` the novel construction, combination and design of parts described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

ln the drawings, Figure' 1 is a side elevation of the regulator of this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 designates the base of the regulator, on 'which is secured a vertically arranged supporting member 3 having a knife edge pivot bearing member 4 mounted on its upper end. A pair of li uid containing vessels 5 land 6 are joine in spaced relation by a pair of rigid connecting rods 7, and have their lower ends connected by a conduit y8 to form what is in effect a U-tube. A quantity of liquid 9 is provided in the vessels 5 and 6 and conduit 8.

The connecting rods are provided with knife edge notches 10 adjacent the `vessel 5 and to one side of the 'vertical center of the rod, adapted to receive the knife edge pivot 4 on the supporting member 3 thereby forming a knife edge pivotal mounting for the vessels 5 and 6.

The liquid containing vessels 5 and 6 are provided with valved inlets 11 and 12 respectively, in their top walls to provide for the inlet of the fluid pressure for operating the regulator.

The inlet 11 is connected to the fiuid body to be controlled or regulated by a pipe 13 which extends along the rods 7 to a point at approximately the center of revolution of the rods 7 from where it extends at right angles and then to the fluid body.

' lhe inlet 12 is provided with a pipe 14C' which extends along the rods 7 to a point at approximately the center of revolution of the rods 7, from which point it extends at right angles to any desired point.

The pipe 13 is adapted to be in communication with the body of fluid to be controlled, which body of fluid may be in a pipe line, gas tank or any other container. ln the drawings the pipe -13 is shown -connected to a main or liquid supply pipe 15, in which a butterfly control valve 15a is shown, the pipe 13 being connected at a point beyond the exit side of the valve. It will be understood that the pipe 13 may be in communication with a gas bell or other fluid container, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The pipe 14 when regulating low pressures may be open to the atmosphere. However, when regulating high pressures it preferably will be connected to some constant source of pressure (no t shown).

The fluid under pressure designated by the letter Y, having access to the containing vessel 5, through tube 13, will cause the liquid 9 therein to be forced through the conduit 8 into the containing vessel 6, thus adding to the quantity and weight of fluid in the vessel 6. This additional weight, together with the unbalanced or off-center pivotal mounting of the containin vessels, is counter-balanced by a pair. o adjustable weights 17 and 18 mounted on screw rods 19 and 20, respectively, which are secured to depending arms 21 on the fluid containing vessel 5.

The butterfly valve 15a is adapted to control the pressure of the fluid body and is connected by levers 22 and 23 to pivot pin 2a secured to the connecting rods 7 at a point adjacent the liquid containing vessel farthest from the pivotal mounting of the rods.

After the counterweights 17 and 18 have been adjusted to balance the containers 5 and 6 any variation in the pressure 'off the fluid body to be controlled, whether liquid or gaseous, will be communicated to the containing vessel throu h the conduit or plpe 13, and if the variation be an mcrease in pressure, liquid will be forced from the container or vessel 5 through the condiut 8 into the containing vessel 6, thus overbalancing the vessel 6 and causing the connecting rods 7 to rock about the knife edge pivot 4 on the supports 3, thus operating the levers 22 and 23, to close the valve while 1f the variation in the pressure of the fluid body to be controlled be a drop in pressure, theliquid from the vessel6 will flow into the vessel 5, thus overbalancing the vessel 5 and causin the connecting rods 7 to rock about the knife edge pivot 4 in the reverse direction, and thus operate the levers 22 and 23 to open the valve 15a.

A novel cam brake or stopping mechanism is provided to limit the rocking movement of the rods 7 so as to prevent an excessive amount of the liquid from the vessels 5 and 6 owing into the other vessel. rll`his brake or stopping mechanism comprlses a cam support or bracket 25 extending upwardly from the base 2 and between the rods 7 and provided with curved cam levers 26 and 27, which are pivoted at one end to the support 25 and are adapted to engage a roller member 28 revolubly mounted on a bearing pin 29 secured in the arms 7.

The cam levers 26 and 27 are provided with a spring receiving recess 30 in their top and bottom faces, respectively, adapted to receive one end of coiled sprlngs 31. The springs 31 are each adjustably tensioned by adjustable screw members 32 which engage a cap member 33 positioned against the outer end of the springs. The closing movement of the cam levers 26 and 27 is limited by stops 34 and 35, respectively, while their opening movement is limited by adjustable screw threaded stops 36 and 37, respectively.

In operation, when the vessel 6 is overhalanced and the arms 7 are rocked about the pivot 4, the roller 28 will be forced down against the cam lever 27 with a wedging action, which lever in turn will rock about its pivot and move against its spring 31 until the turning movement of the vessels is balanced by the tension of the spring 31,

when the vessels 5 and 6 will be stopped. However, if the vessel 6 be overbalanced sufficiently to overcome the tension of the spring 31, the roller 28 will force the lever 27 against the stop 37 and will wedge against the stopped lever, thus stopping Vthe rotation of the vessels. v

When the vessel 5 becomes overbalanced the arms 7 will be rocked in the opposite direction from that described above and the roller 28 will be forced against the cam lever 26 with a wedging action, which lever will Maasai in turn rock about its pivot and move against its spring 31 until the turning movement of the vessels 5 and 6 is balanced by the tension of the spring 31 when the vessels will be stopped. However, if the vessel 5 be overbalanced sufficiently to overcome the tension of the spring 31 the roller 28 will force the lever 26 against its stop 36 and will wedge against the stopped lever, thus stopping the rotation of the vessel.

From the above it will be readily seen that the amount of rotation or rocking movement of the vessels 5 and 6 about the pivot 4 is limited so that they will not rock to such a position that all the operating liquid can flow into one vessel.

The liquid 9 used in the vessels 5 and 6 may be of any desired kind. However, mercury is preferable for most uses.

While I have shown a butterfly valve as the object operated by the movement of the vessels 5 and 6, it will be understood that ll do not wish to be limited to this exact combination, since various other kinds of valves may be operated, and when desired the rods 7 may be connected to suitable apparatus or electrical control for operating valves at a distant point.

1. An automatic pressure regulator comprising a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers, a supporting member having a pivot on its upper end, said connecting rod being mounted on said pivot at a point adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the center of said rod, means for establishing communication between the fluid body to be controlled and one of said containers whereby variation in the pressure of said body will be communicated to said container and cause liquid from one of said containers to f'low into the other of said containers, thereby causing said containers to rock about said pivot, means for limiting the movement of said containers and means operated by said containers for regulating the pressure to said fluid body.

2. An automatic pressure regulator comprising a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers, a supporting member having a knife edge pivot on its upper end, said connecting rod being mounted on said knife edge ivot at a point adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the center of said rod, means for establishing communication between the fluid body to be controlled and one of said containers whereby variation in the pressure of said body will be communicated to said container and cause liquid from one of said containers to ow into the other of said containers,

Maasai thereby causing said containers to rock about said knife ede pivot, means for limiting the movement of said containers and means Operated by said containers for regulatlng the pressure to said iuid body.

3.`An automatic fluid pressure regulator comprising a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to sald containers, a conduit connecting the lowerl ends of said containers through which liquid may flow from one container to the other, a supporting member having a pivot portion, said connecting rod being mounted on said pivot portion of said supporting member at a point adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the vertical center line of said connecting rod, means for establishing communication between the Huid body to be controlled and the one of said liquid containers nearest to said pivot, means for balancing said liquid containers under normal conditions, variations in the pressure of said fiuid body being adapted to be communicated to said liquid container having communication therewith and to cause liquid from one .of said liquid containers to flow into the other, thereby overbalancing said containers and causing them to rock about said pivot, a cam support, a roller revolubly mounted at the center of said connecting rod, a pair of spring pressed cam levers pivoted on said cam support and bearing against said roller, and means for limiting the movement of said cams whereby said roller will engage and wedge against said cams when said liquid containers are rocked, and means operated by said connecting rod adapted to regulate the the pressure to said fiuid body.

4. An automatic pressure regulator comprising the combination with' a fluid supply pipe, of a. pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers through which liquid may How from one container to the other, a supporting member having a pivot portion, said connecting rod being mounted on said pivot portion of said supporting member at a point adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the vertical center line of said connecting rod, means for establishing communication between the fluid body to be controlled and one of said liquid containers, means for balancing said liquid containers on said pivot under normal conditions, variations in the pressure 0f the iiuid body being adapted to be communicated to said liquid container having communication therewith, and to cause liquid from one of said liquid containers to flow into the other of said liquid containers, thereby over-balancing said liquid containcrs and causing them to rock about said pivot, means for limiting the movement of said liquid containers, and means mounted in'said pipe and operatively connected to said connecting rod adapted to be operated by the rocking of said liquid containers to regulate the pressure of said fluid body pipe.

5. An automatic pressure regulator comprising the combination with a uid supply pipe, of a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers through which liquid may flow from one container to the other, a sup- ,.ditions, variations in the pressure of the fluid body being adapted to be communicated to said liquid container having communication therewith and to cause liquid from one of said liquid containers to flow into the other of said liquid containers, thereby overbalancing said liquid containers and causing them to rock about said pivot, a cam support, a roller revolubly mounted at the center of said connecting rod, a pair of spring pressed cam levers pivoted on said cam support and bearing against said roller, and means for limiting the movement of said cams whereby said roller will en age and wedge against said cams when said liquid containers are rocked, and means operated by said connecting rod adapted to regulate the pressure of said fluid body.

6. An automatic pressure regulator comprising the combination with a fluid supply pipe having a valve therein, of a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers through which liquid may flow from one container to thel other, a supporting member having a pivot portion, said connecting rod being mounted on said pivot portion of said supporting member at apoint adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the vertical cen-ter line of said connecting rod, means for establishing communication between the fluid body to be controlled and one of said liquid containers, means for balancing said liquid containers on said pivot under normal conditions, variations in the pressure in the fluid body being adapted to be communicated to said liquid container having communica; tion therewith and to cause liquid from one of said liquid containers to ioW into the other of said,l liquid containers, thereby overcams whereby 4said roller will engage andy port, a roller revolubly mounted at the center of said connecting rod, a pair of spring pressed cam levers pivoted on said cam support and bearing against said roller, and means for limiting the movement of said wedge against said cams when said liquid containers are rocked, and means for operl'atively connecting said connecting rod to said valve, so as to cause said valve to operate when said containers are rocked, there- -by regulating the pressure of fluid in said Huid body.

7. An automatic pressure regulator comprising the combination with a fluid supply pipe, of a pair of spaced liquid containers, a rigid connecting rod secured to said containers, a conduit connecting the lower ends of said containers through which liquid may flow from one container to the other, a supporting member having a pivot portion, said connecting 'rod being mounted on said pivot portion of said supporting member at a point adjacent one of said containers and to the one side of the vertical center line of said connecting rod, means for establishing communication between the fluid body to be controlled and the one of said liquid containers nearest to said pivot, an adjustable counterweight mounted on said last fiaeasri lter of said connecting rod, a pair of spring pressed cam levers pivoted on said cam support and bearing against said roller, means lor linutin the movement of said cams whereby sald roller will engage and wedge against said cams when said liquid cont-ainers are rocked about said pivot, thus limiting the movement of said containers, a valve mounted in said fluid supply pipe, and operating levers connected to said connecting rod and said valve, said levers being connected to said connecting rod at a point adjacent the lliquid container farthest from said pivot and being adapted to operate said l valve when said liquid containers are overbalanced to regulate the flow to and pressure of said fluid body.

ln testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSEPH WALLACE ALLEN. 

